Experiential Learning and Research
An essential component of the M.A. in Engaged & Public Humanities program is experiential learning, where you’ll apply classroom knowledge to real-world settings.
Through a mentored internship, you’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience in the engaged and public humanities field. If you’re already working in the field, you may instead submit a written public humanities report that weaves together research and thoughtful problem-solving. Both options deepen your understanding, sharpen your skills and prepare you to make a meaningful impact in your career. At the same time, you’ll also complete your capstone report to combine all the knowledge and experience you’ve gained.
Experiential learning and research opportunities
Mentored Engaged & Public Humanities internship
The mentored internship is an intensive, six-credit experience you’ll complete concurrently with your capstone. You’ll work with a faculty advisor or the program director to ensure your experience aligns with program expectations. Throughout the Engaged & Public Humanities internship, you will reflect on and evaluate your experiences, synthesizing them with your capstone project. We recommend starting your internship search about a year before you plan to apply to be mindful of the application process, requirements and deadlines.
If you are a full-time student, you’ll take all six internship credits during the summer, working full-time for 10-15 weeks.
If you’re a part-time student, you will split the mentored internship across two summers, completing three credits each summer.
Internship courses
While completing your Engaged & Public Humanities internship, you will enroll in both ENPH 7951: Internship I and ENPH 7952: Internship II. You choose a longer internship or find two separate internships. While most students complete the internship and concurrent courses over the summer, you may also enroll in the fall or spring semesters with program approval. The internship is evaluated on a pass/fail basis, based on your work with the sponsoring organization, weekly journal entries and your end-of-internship report.
Internship locations
These are just some of the organizations where our students have interned in previous years:
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy
- EducateUS
- HarrisX
- Search for Common Ground
- Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
- Moment Magazine
- Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- National Museum of the American Indian
Public humanities report
If you’re already working in the public humanities field, you may opt to complete a public humanities report instead of the mentored internship. With the director’s approval, you will enroll in the six-credit course ENPH 5507: Public Humanities Report and complete this report concurrently with your capstone.
The public humanities report combines academic and non-academic research, investigation and proposed solutions. It should tackle a question or problem meaningful to the engaged and public humanities, offering a thorough answer or solution.
You’ll work closely with the director throughout the drafting process. We recommend starting with a brief proposal outlining your field in the context of engaged and public humanities, and the question or problem you plan to explore. Expect to submit drafts every three weeks for feedback. While consulting a public humanities leader outside the academy is not required, it is highly encouraged, especially for approval of the final draft. To develop your report, engage in diverse research methods, such as:
- Interviews with non-academic experts
- Collecting data from nonprofit or non-governmental organizations
- Surveying public humanities leaders
- Researching past initiatives, events or recommendations in the public sphere
- Conducting archival or library research related to engaged and public humanities
Plan to dedicate 15-20 hours per week gathering and analyzing information as you write. Like the mentored internship, the report is designed to complement and prepare you for the capstone project, which remains a separate graduation requirement.
The final draft should be submitted for the director’s approval about eight to 10 weeks after beginning your research, typically by the end of July in your graduating year.
Capstone project
Your capstone project marks the culmination of your learning in the M.A. in Engaged & Public Humanities program. You will bring together your humanities learnings and internship or field research projects to highlight the interdisciplinary skills you’ve developed. Designed for a public audience, you’ll collaborate closely with your faculty advisor, who will provide feedback on feasibility, logistics, impact and execution.
Capstone project course
You will enroll in ENPH 5510: Capstone to complete your project, weaving together your personal and professional interests. While there is no required format, we encourage you to embrace this opportunity to reimagine the study of the humanities in a public-facing way. Capstone projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Several episodes of a podcast
- A documentary
- An oral history archive
- A digital or physical exhibition
- Online articles for publication
- Project proposals
- A white paper paired with a social media campaign
- A series of performances or events
Your capstone project must be completed and approved by both the program director and your faculty advisor before you can graduate.
Previous capstone projects
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Take part in academic discovery, community engagement and personal growth through our Master of Arts in Engaged & Public Humanities to create a future where the humanities are at the forefront of social transformation.
